How to change yarns or yarn amounts

Changing

1 strand within a yarn group:

All our yarns are spun to standard thickness and can be used for the same pattern if you change within the one DROPS Yarn group. See our yarn groups here.

Different yarns have different structures.

Be aware: When changing yarns, the amount of yarn might also need adjusting, because the meterage of yarn in a ball (50 gram = X metres) varies from yarn to yarn - see the calculation below.



1 strand of yarn to 2 or more strands:

DROPS yarns are spun so the thickness of the strands fit each other.
By working with more than one strand from one Yarn Group, you can easily find patterns in other Yarn Groups (see yarn groups here) or see our suggestions (see recommended yarn combinations here).

Be aware: When changing yarns, the amount of yarn might also need adjusting because the meterage of yarn in a ball (50 gram = X metres) varies from yarn to yarn - see the calculation below.

Here is a list of yarns which can easily be exchanged between Yarn Groups:

Yarn Group A 2 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group C
Yarn Group A 3 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group D
Yarn Group A 4 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group E
Yarn Group A 8 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group F
Yarn Group B 2 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group D
Yarn Group C 2 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group E
Yarn Group C 4 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group F
Yarn Group E 2 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group F

In DROPS patterns this is written as: A + A = C



1 strand of yarn for another:

If the yarn gives the same knitting tension it is easy to change from one to the other.

Follow the given knitting tension in the pattern – remember needle size is only a guide; change to the needle size you need. For more info on knitting tension, see here

Be aware: When changing yarns, the amount of yarn might also need adjusting, because the meterage of yarn in a ball (50 gram = X metres) varies from yarn to yarn - see the calculation below.



The amount of yarn is adjusted when changing:

1 strand for 1 strand.

When changing yarns, the amount of yarn might also need adjusting, because the meterage of yarn in a ball (50 gram = X metres) varies from yarn to yarn - see the calculation below:

In the pattern you need 300 g Yarn-X
We need the meterage to be able to calculate how much Yarn-Y you need:


Yarn-X: 50 g = 170 metres
Total yarn required: 6 balls x 170 metres = 1020 metres

Yarn-Y: 50 g = 150 metres


Number of metres of Yarn-X = 1020 metres
divided by the number of metres Yarn-Y = 6.8 balls

Result:
7 balls = 350 g of Yarn-Y
replaces
6 balls = 300 g of Yarn-X.

Need help to do the sums? Try our calculator!

1 strand for 2 strands with the same meterage.

This is an example, to show you how you calculate the yarn needed when changing from 1 strand DROPS Snow (Yarn Group E) to 2 strands DROPS Air (Yarn Group C) - see calculation below:

The pattern states 1150 g DROPS Snow.
We need the meterage to be able to recalculate:


DROPS Snow: 50 g = 50 metres
Total yarn required: 23 balls x 50 metres = 1150 metres

DROPS Air: 50 g = approx. 150 metres


Number of metres of DROPS Snow = 1150 metres
divided by number of metres of DROPS Air = 7.67 balls

You are going to work with 2 strands instead of 1 strand, therefore the number of balls is x 2: 7.67 x 2 = 16 balls

Result:
1150 g DROPS Snow
is replaced by
800 g DROPS Air

Need help to do the sums ? Try our calculator!

2 strands of different meterage to 1 strand.

This is how to calculate the yarn needed when you wish to work with 1 strand in a pattern which uses 2 strands
Example: 1 strand DROPS BabyAlpaca Silk (from Yarn Group A) and 1 strand DROPS Kid-Silk (from Yarn Group A)
is changed to:
1 strand DROPS AIR (from Yarn Group C)

The pattern states:
300 g DROPS BabyAlpaca-Silk and 125 g DROPS Kid-Silk
(= 2 strands from Yarn Group A)

Re-calculate this to:
1 strand DROPS Air (Yarn Group C)
We need the meterage to be able to re-calculate:

DROPS BabyAlpaca-Silk: 50 g = 167 metres,
Total yarn required: 6 balls x 167 metres = 1002 metres

DROPS Kid-Silk: 25 g = 200 metres
Total yarn required: 5 balls x 200 metres = 1000 metres

Alternative new yarn:
DROPS AIR: 50 g = 150 metres


Begin with the yarn with the shortest meterage = 1000 metres
Divide by the number of metres of DROPS Air:
1000 metres divided by 150 metres = 6.7 balls; so 7 balls


Result:
300 g DROPS BabyAlpaca-Silk
125 g DROPS Kid-Silk
is replaced by:
350 g DROPS Air

Comments (497)

Eleanor wrote:

What can I use instead of drops Safran group A yarn. Could you please let me know what ply it is

11.03.2024 - 16:30:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Eleanor, read more about Safran on its shade card and use the yarn converter to see all possible alternatives as well as new amount. Happy knitting!

12.03.2024 - 08:06:

Britt wrote:

Hej Kan denne model strikke med kun 1 tråd air - altså uden af kombinere med en tråd kid silk?

10.03.2024 - 13:06:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Britt. Hvilken genser? Om det står i oppskriften at den skal strikkes med 1 tråd DROPS Air og 1 tråd DROPS Kid-Silk kan man ikke fjerne den ene tråden. Da vil ikke den oppgitte strikkefastheten stemme. mvh DROPS Design

11.03.2024 - 07:08:

Urte Bierlin wrote:

Ich wuerde gerne Garngruppe B fuer diese Muster verwenden (8Ply New Zealand Merino). How does it relate to Garngruppe E. Ich wurde nicht ganz schlau aus der Umrechnungstabelle. Mit freundlichen Gruessen

10.03.2024 - 00:31:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Frau Bierlin, hier finden Sie alle Garne mit den dazugehörigenden Gruppen. Dann könnnen Sie den Garnumrechner benutzen, um die Alternative sowie die neue Garnmenge kalkulieren zu lassen. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

11.03.2024 - 15:40:

Lina wrote:

Jag skulle vilja sticka en tröja i bomullsgarn men mönstret är i ullgarn. Kan man det? Och hur skall man tänka?

09.03.2024 - 12:54:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Lina. Ta en titt på GARN & STICKOR - GARNGRUPPER. Se hvilken garngruppe det ullgarnet i genseren er strikket i og under garngrupper kan se andre alternativer. Bruk vår garn-konverterare for å regne ut garnmengden ved garnbytte og HUSK å overholde strikkefastheten som det står i oppskriften. F.eks er en genser strikket med 1 tråd DROPS Nepal(ull / garngruppe C) kan du bruke 1 tråd DROPS Paris (bomull / garngruppe C), men du kan også bruke 2 tråder DROPS Safran (garngruppe A / bomull). mvh DROPS Design

11.03.2024 - 07:05:

Birthe wrote:

Hvad kan jeg bruge til babysvøb i stedet for det udgåede BabyAlpaca Silk?

08.03.2024 - 06:43:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Birthe. Ta en titt på andre kvaliteter i garngruppe A, f.eks DROPS Alpaca. mvh DROPS Design

11.03.2024 - 06:58:

Agnieszka Dziedzic wrote:

I'm thinking to change muskat (group b) to safran (group a) to knit a dress. Do I need to hold safran double? Or would it be better to add one strand of kidsilk to safran? Or safran on its own would replace muskat just fine? Thank you!

04.03.2024 - 19:44:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Dziedzic, Safran is not an alternative to Muskat as Muskat is yarn group B and Safran yarn group A, hold double would then be yarn group C instead. To get all alternatives to Safran / Muskat, use the yarn converter. Happy knitting!

05.03.2024 - 09:57:

Glenys Lees wrote:

If I’m combining two different yarns which together make a group D equivalent how do I calculate how much I need of the two different yarns

24.02.2024 - 18:41:

DROPS Design answered:

See answer below

26.02.2024 - 12:37:

Glenys Lees wrote:

If I’m combining two different yarns which together make a group D equivalent how do I calculate how much I need of the two different yarns

24.02.2024 - 18:41:

Peguy Sitbon wrote:

Bonjour j’aimerais savoir si je peux utiliser du baby merinos à la place de l’alpaga pour réaliser le gilet en crochet granny de toutes les couleurs 127-9 . Merci de votre réponse cordialement peguy

24.02.2024 - 10:30:

Linda wrote:

Posso sostituire due capi di diverso gruppo con un capo? A e C con ? Grazie

17.02.2024 - 16:10:

DROPS Design answered:

Buongiorno Linda, può utilizzare la tabella indicata nella pagina per sostituire i gruppi filato. Buon lavoro!

02.03.2024 - 13:54:

Pia wrote:

Hej ,vill sticka tröjan drops 239-38 med Drops snow. Enligt uppskriften stickas den i garn grupp C medan snow är grupp E. Hur skall jag tänka med denna stickning. Om jag sedan stickar med stickor i st.8 mm eller 9 mm vad är skillnaden och vad behöver jag tänka på? Tacksam för svar .

10.02.2024 - 22:45:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Pia. Oppskriften vil ikke stemme ved å bruke et garn fra garngruppe E og design avd har ikke mulighet til å regne om en allerede skrevet oppskrift. Om du ønsker å prøve selv må du huske på strikkefasthet, målene, garnmengden osv. Evnt søk på andre gensere i garngruppe E / Bærestykke Raglan og finner du en genser du der liker så bruk det som basic oppskrift og så legg til striper som du ser i 239-38. Men kan ikke gi en nøyaktig garnmengde. mvh DROPS Design

12.02.2024 - 07:52:

Regina Lindeman wrote:

Ett hej från mej :) Mycket bra och lärorik sida, jag är helt nybörjade på denna kunskap. Min enkla fråga är varför frågorna ej är på Svenska? Det finns naturligtvis en anledning som ej förstår. Ha en bra dag!!

10.02.2024 - 13:54:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Regina. Vi er et verdensomspennende selskap og våre oppskrifter blir oversatt til 17 språk. Alle kan skrive inn sine spørsmål på sitt språk og få svar på sitt språk. Men siden norsk, svensk og dansk som regel forstår hverandre, kan et svensk spørsmål bli besvart på norsk og omvendt. Har du f.eks fått et dansk svar på ditt svenske spørsmål og har problemer å forstå noen ord, kan du bruke vår ordlise. Se: Tips & Hjälp / Ordlista. mvh DROPS Design

12.02.2024 - 07:24:

Helen wrote:

Vorrei fare il Cardigan Richard misura XL sostituendo filato KARISMA (gruppo C) con AIR (gruppo C) e ALPACA (gruppo A) con NORD (gruppo A). Questa scelta va bene? Basta scegliere un altro filato dello stesso gruppo? Grazie

06.02.2024 - 16:25:

DROPS Design answered:

Buonasera Helen, la sostituzione è corretta, deve poi calcolare la quantità necessaria dei nuovi filati e controllare che il campione corrisponda a quello indicato. Buon lavoro!

10.02.2024 - 19:17:

Meau In De Braekt wrote:

Ik zou heel graag de trui gaan breien m,maar dan op naald 4,5\r\nAnders wordt bij mij te dik...\r\nIk heb maat 44\r\nHeb dislectie en zou niet weten hoe ik niet moet uitrekenen in mijn maat.\r\nKunt u mij aub helpen\r\n\r\nAlvast Vriendelijk bedankt\r\nMeau

05.02.2024 - 08:25:

Elisabeth wrote:

Hallo, ich würde die jacke gern in alaska stricken. meine größe ist xl. wieviel garn würde ich dann brauchen? ich tue mir mit der umrechnung schwer. vielen dank!

01.02.2024 - 10:45:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Elisabeth, gerne können Sie dann den Garnumrechner benutzen, so finden Sie die neue Garnmennge in die passenden Alternativen. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

01.02.2024 - 16:02:

Reidun wrote:

Drops air kan det brukes isteden for lieve/mondial skal strikke stits genser

01.02.2024 - 00:48:

Ursula wrote:

Hello! I am not good at calculating.... Help please! I have just finished knitting the Cherished Moments jacket in Brushed Alpaca Silk (turned out beautifully, by the way!) . I would love to knit the same jacket for the summer with Drops Paris. How much of Drops Paris would I need for this jacket, size M? Your help would be very much appreciated! Thank you in advance, with best regards - and happy knitting -, Ursula

31.01.2024 - 11:57:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Ursula, you would then have to work with 2 strands Paris to get same tension (remember to check your gauge and tension first and also check if you like the texture as 2 strands Paris would give another result as 2 strands Brushed Alpaca Silk). In that case you could just use the maths under 1 strand for 1 strand but remember then to work with 2 strands. Should you need any further assistance, feel free to contact your DROPS store even per mail or telephone. Happy knitting!

01.02.2024 - 09:03:

Mette Paulsen wrote:

Hei, strikker med 1 tråd drops børsta alpakka silk og 1 tråd Kid silk, hva kan jeg erstatte børsta alpakke silk med siden dere ikke har den fargen jeg trenger

29.01.2024 - 09:17:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Mette. Du kan erstatte 1 tråd DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk med 2 tråder DROPS Kid-Silk. Og har du 1 tråd DROPS Kid-Silk fra før, blir det da 3 tråder tilsammen. Bare husk å få den oppgitte strikkefastheten. mvh DROPS dDesign

29.01.2024 - 14:23:

Hege wrote:

Kva eg bruke garnet Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk i stedet for Fnugg? Skal strikke Kari genseren.

28.01.2024 - 03:35:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Hege. Hverken garnet Fnugg eller Kari genseren er fra DROPS , så de kjenner jeg ikke til. Men ta en titt på beskrivelsen til Fnugg og se om det stemmer overens med DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk (som kommer i nøste på 25 gram, har en løpelengde på 140 m og en anbefalt strikkepinne på 5 mm). mvh DROPS Design

29.01.2024 - 08:25:

Leave a comment or question to this lesson

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *.